AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has revealed that Antoine Semenyo will be missing from the weekend’s clash with Manchester United.
The in-form Ghanaian has a calf injury that isn’t serious but it will lead to him missing the clash at Vitality Stadium with the Red Devils.
He said: “The problem with Ant in the past week is that he has a cold and not 100 per cent.
“He played 45 minutes against Palace and was probably not at his 100 per cent.
“He wanted to push and he is in good form, so we wanted him to push.
“Probably there was more risk involved, when you are not feeling well and you go to a football pitch and probably the injury risk is higher.
“But for me, for the technical staff, for the doctors, for him, it’s difficult to make this decision.
“Also this week we had some players that are 50/50. It is difficult to decide, because sometimes it works, sometimes they can get injured.”
The diagnosis on Marcus Tavernier isn’t as positive as Semenyo, with the manager hoping to have him available before the end of the season.
He added: “He played very well against Luton and scored the goal.
“I’ve said it before about Tav he gives us a lot of things, we make him defend a lot, attack without the ball and he covers his side well.
“It is just one month until the end of the season. I hope he plays, but it is going to be the more difficult to play a lot of games.
“I hope he can play the last games, but now the time is difficult.”
Elsewhere, Tyler Adams will also be missing, along with Ryan Fredericks and Chris Mepham.
The boss rounded up on the absent players by saying: “We have some players who have colds and there are some players that are 50/50.
“It is a shame.
“Tyler is improving. He is out definitely tomorrow, but it is a muscle thing.
“I think he can continue this improvement and he can be available next week.
“Meps has a health issue. Even with Ryan Fredericks, it is the same situation.
“I hope we don’t have more. With a cold, normally you don’t lose games, you try to push, it is sometimes decisions we have to make about if they are ready for 90 minutes or go on in the second half.”
